Automatic dial scale



Sept. 10, 1935. A. BOUSFIELD AUTOMATI C DIAL SCALE Filed May 14, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 D n a 8 .N m m VB A N I E Sept 1% 11935., A BCUSFBELD I 2,014,274

AUTOMATIC DIAL SCALE Filed May 14 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR An zwzo Bousrnzm ATTORNEY Sept 10, 1935. A, BOUSFIELD 2,@14,2?4

AUTOMATIC DIAL SCALE Filed May 14, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fig.4!

INVENTOR ALFRED BOUSF'lELD ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 10, 1935 iiiti'iED STATES PATENT GFFICE AUTOMATIC DIAL SCALE Application May M, 1932, Serial No. 611,284

15 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in automatic dial scales, particularly to scales of hat type employing suspended sectors co-operating with load offsetting pendulums.

it has been found in previous mechanisms of a similar general class developed in the art that there has been insufficient power delivered by the actuating mechanism to the racl operating the indicator pinion to properly overcome the friction present in the bearings of the indicator, thereby causing inefficient operation of the indicator and resultant inaccuracies of weight indications. The present invention is designed to overcome these difficulties and to provide simple and efficient mechanism to accomplish the desired results.

it is, therefore, an outstanding object of the invention to provide means for delivering a powerful driving force to the indicator pinion and hence to the indicator and thereby assist in increasing the accuracy and the sensibility of the indicator by reason of the greater power provided to overcome the friction in the indicator bearings and the indicator driving mechanism.

Another object is to provide an improved dial head mechanism consisting primarily of opposed groups cf co-acting sectors comprising load cam sectors, fulcrum sectors, driving sectors and pendulum sectors and constituting a balanced mechanism controlled and operated by a load cross bar under influence of the load, the fulcrum sectors being flexibly suspended from the dial head housing by steel tapes, while the load cam sectors, driving sectors and pendulum sectors flexibly connected by steel tapes to their co-operating mechanism including a centrally vertically disposed indicator driving bracket, whereby the force transmitted by the load causes the fulcrum sectors to be rolled up on their steel tapes and thus are established fulcrum points which are automatically variable in accordance with the variation of the load.

Another object is to provide means for exerting a powerful direct line pull upon the sector driving initiated by the load and transmitted continuously in a direct line without any deflection, through an improved linkage sysleading directly from the scale levers to a load cross bar operating the sector driving and indicator driving mechanisms, whereby a power ful pull is caused to be exerted by the driving bracket actuating the indicator.

Another object is to provide an improved in dicator driving bracket, which is designed to operate entirely in a vertical plane and to be operatively connected on each side to the tape secured to the respective driving sector and its cooperating pendulum sector, whereby the pull upon the driving bracket and its co-operating rack engaging the indicator pinion is exerted in a vertical direction constantly.

Another object is to provide means for transmitting the load from the load cam sectors to the driving sectors together with adjusting means for efiecting ready adjustment of the various steel tapes of the sectors as well as the steel tapes of the fulcrum sectors with resulting adjustment of the load cam sectors in properly sealing the dial head mechanism.

In order that the nature of my invention may be fully understood, I have illustrated certain embodiments of the invention in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a front elevation, of the dial head mechanism, with the dial glass frame and dial plate removed, showing the mounting of the dial head mechanism in its housing and its co-operative relation to the scale beam and embodying a preferred form of my invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged rear elevation of the ial head mechanism with a portion of the assembly bracket removed in order to show certain parts of the interior of the dial head mechanism.

Figure 3 is a central cross section on the line 3-4;; of Fig. 1, showing the assembly bracket and cooperating parts.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view in side elevation showing the fulcrum sectors, load controlled load cam sectors and co-operating driving sectors.

Figure 5 is a plan of the parts shown in Fig. 4; and

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary View, partly in section, on the line 6-i of Fig. 2, showing the means for attaching the indicator operating mechanism to the dial head housing.

Referring to the drawings I designates the indicator operating mechanism, constituting an important feature of the invention, which is mounted on spaced lugs 2 extending inwardly from each side of the dial head housing 3, which is provided with a front dial glass frame and a rear cover plate (not shown). The indicator operating mechanism includes (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) an integral assembly bracket 4 formed of bifurcated side sections 5 (Fig. 1), provided with transverse connecting webs 6 at their ends and having spaced upstanding arms 7 connected at their upper ends by cross arms 8, the spaced side sections 5 being adapted to engage the lugs 2 on the housing 3 and to be bolted thereto, while a brass Washer 9 is inserted at one side in order each group comprising two spaced outwardly 8X- tending fulcrum sectors I0 (Figs. 5 and 6) fixedly mounted on a common, floating shaft II, each fulcrum sector I0 being suspended from a flexible the opposed fulcrum sector In. tape I2 is attached by clamping means I3 to the lower end of its respective fulcrum sector In and is secured at its upper end to the cross arm 8 of the bracket 4 (Fig. 2), whereby the co-operating fulcrum sector I0 and flexible tape I2 act as a fulcrum means as will hereinafter be described, while guide plates to the bracket 4 serve to guide and retain the tapes I2 in position and thus prevent displacement of the fulcrum sectors I0 and co-operating mechanism.

Between the two spaced fulcrum sectors I0 there is mounted on the common shaft II on the side remote from their spaced center a load cam member equalizer or cross bar I8 operatively connected to the Weighing mechanism (Fig. 2). Interposed on the inner side of fulcrum sectors I0 is an inwardly extending driving sector I9 (Figs. 4

and the load cam sectors I5 facing outwardly and the faces of the driving sectors I9 and pendulum sectors 2| inwardly.

rack driving bracket 3| (Figs. 1 and 2), preferably and having spaced arms 32 and 33, the upper arms 32 of which pass upwardly beyond the limit of travel of the driving sectors it, while between is depending toothed rack 36 adapted to mesh with a pinion 37 mounted on the pinion ing it about or otherwise.

The fulcrum sectors id and are fixedly secured to the the load cam sectors M to each respective group of sectors so that all the sectors in a group will move together under control of its cooperating load cam sector I5 (Figs. 4 and 5). In order to provide means for connecting the load earn sectors E5 to group of sectors and thus transmit the load to the driving sectors 19, each load cam sector I5 is provided with extension M, which extends between two opposed adjustable screws carried by bosses l6 integral with a side face of each driving sector it While lock nuts il serve to hold the screws 35 in their adjusted position. Further, the outer fulcrum sector it! of each group of sectors is provided with an elongated boss 28 adjacent to its bearing portion, which has a transverse elongated slot 9 through which a locking screw passes and is seated in a thrcaded opening 59a in a co-operating boss 5! on the load cam sector I5. By means of the adjustment of the screws 415 and then the ing screw Ell in the co-operating slot 49 proper adjustment is effected 01 the load cam sectors I5, in order to compensate for the unequal resistanee offered by the pendulurns 25 as they swing through their are of movement, when the dial head mechanism is being sealed.

The vertical load members H, which extend between the bracket side sections 5, are provided at their upper ends with upwardly extending guide arms (Fig. 2), bolted thereto and provide a guide and track for each E6 on which its co-operating load cam sector IE5 rocks, as well as to provide means to hold in position laterally the load cam sectors I5 and the other co-operating sectors and parts of the indicator driving mechanism, thereby preventing their displacement when the scale is being transported or moved about, as well lateral displacement of the cross bar it. At the lower end of the load members I 11's a downwardly extending driving sectors I9 shaft II by pins 43 and are operatively connected the particular Q locking the locktongue portion 53 reduced in thickness and having a shoulder lite, on which tongue portion there is pivotally mounted on a pin 55a carried by the extended tongue portion 53 an extension member 54 attached to a fixed depending rod 55, slightly spaced from the shoulder 53d of the load member ll, so as to permit limited lateral movement of each load member H and its guide extension 52 by their pivotal mounting on the extension member 54, thereby allowing free movement of the load cam sectors l5 without any friction or binding of the parts.

Secured in the lower end of each extension member 54 is the depending, threaded rod 55 which extends down through an end block 58 of the cross oar l8, which is formed of the end blocks 58 and spaced longitudinal bars 5'! bolted to the end blocks. The rod 55 is provided with upper and lower lock nuts 58 engaging the upper and lower edges of the equalizer bar l8, thereby providing an adjustable connection on both sides of the equalizer bar. In order to provide means for preventing any undue lateral displacement oi the various co-operating sectors and pendulum mechanism there are mounted in the base of the connecting webs 6 of the bracket -1 adjusting screws 59 adapted to be adjusted so as to just clear the end blocks 56 of the cross bar when the indicator is in the zero position on the dial. For the purpose of limiting the outward travel of the pendulum weights 2E5 opposed adjustable stops 68 are located on each side of the dial head housing 3 in the path of travel of the pendulum weights and comprise a plate (ii provided with elongated slots 62 and attached by bolts $3 to the side of a lug 3a integral with the dial head housing 3, whereby the plates 6! may be adjusted to the proper position and locked there by the bolts 63.

It is to be particularly noted that the disposition of the opposed groups of allied fulcrum sectors Ill, load cam sectors l5 and driving sectors I9 in conjunction with the vertically operating driving member Si is such that a powerful and effective driving force is delivered by the pull of the load upon the driving sector is and the driving member 3i and hence on to the rack 35 and pinion 31 carrying the indicator spindle 38. It is evident, therefore, that a powerful pull will be exerted by the driving member M on the pinion '31 and thereby greater power is provided to overcome friction in the rack and pinion and thus assist greatly in rendering the indicator more sensitive and accurate.

The means for transmitting the weight of the load includes a link 6 having at its upper end a yoke 65 carrying a pivot block 66, which is mounted on a knife edge pivot 6'! transversely disposed between the spaced side bars 51 in the center of the equalizer bar 8. The lower end of the link 64 is hooked to an intermediate link 68, which in turn is hooked to a yoke pivotally connected to the beam and draft rod (not shown). By the linkage thus employed the pull exerted by the load is passed directly and forcibly without any deflection from the main lever (not shown) and draft rod (not shown) pivotally connected thereto, to the beam and hence to the load equalizer bar l8 of the dial head mechanism, thereby effecting a continuous, direct line pull upon the equalizer bar l8 and thus increasing considerably the power transmitted to the load cam sectors IE to actuate the indicator pinion 3'1.

In operation when a load has been placed on the platform (not shown) the force exerted by the load is transmitted in a direct line to the draft rod 68 which pulls down the load cross bar l8 the load force is in turn applied to the tapes it connected to the load cam sectors l5 and hence to the fulcrum sectors l9 and driving sectors 59, and finally through the connecting tapes 2d the load force is applied very effectively to the pinion driving member 3! (Figs. 2 and l). By this arrangement the fulcrum sectors it are caused to rotate and roll up on their respective depending tapes 12 attached to the housing 3, thereby causing the inner driving sectors is to move upwardly and pull their co-operating tapes 28, connected to the pinion driving member 35 carrying the rack 3t meshing with the indicator shaft 38, in the same upward direction and thus rotate the indicator shaft and indicator id.

Simultaneously the vertical tapes All connected to the driving sectors l9, driving member 3! and the pendulum sectors 2! are pulled upwardly causing the sectors to rotate about their axis and the load offsetting pendulum weights 26 to travel toward the center line of the dial head housing 3. The motion of these pendulum weights 2% offers a resistance to the load on the platform and they continue to move inwardly until the load on the platform is balanced and the dial head mechanism has come to rest. When the load has been removed from the scale the indicator 4% under influence of the pendulum weights 26 is returned to zero.

It is obvious that this dial head mechanism provides superior and efficient means for applying a powerful driving pull upon the indicator shaft.

While I have shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, it is evident that Various modificaions of the invention may be made that will come within the scope of the invention and I do not desire, therefore, to be limited to the exact details of construction shown and described.

I claim:

1. In a weighing scale, automatic weight indicating mechanism including oppositely disposed rockable sectors, load counterbalanoing means 4 comprising oppositely disposed pendulum sectors, flexible tapes connecting the said rockable and pendulum sectors and constraining the said sectors to move in unison, and an intermediate rack driving member disposed between the said flexible tapes and secured thereto.

2. In a weighing scale, automatic weight indicating mechanism including oppositely disposed rockable sectors, load counterbalancing means comprising oppositely disposed pendulum sectors spaced from and located below the said rockable sectors and in vertical alignment therewith, flexible tapes connecting the said rockable and pendulum sectors, and a transversely disposed rack driving member attached to the said flexible tapes midway between the rockable and pendulum sectors.

3. In an automatic scale, weight indicating mechanism including a pair of oppositely positioned rockable sectors, load counterbalancing means comprising a pair of oppositely positioned pendulums, depending flexible and aligned tapes connecting the said rockable and pendulum sectors, and an indicator operating device spanned between the said flexible tapes and intermediate of the rockable and pendulum sectors.

l. In an automatic scale, weight indicating mechanism including an indicator, a pair of oppositely positioned rockable sectors, a pair of op positely positioned pendulum sectors located be- 75 low the rockable sectors and spaced therefrom, flexible and aligned tapes connecting the said rockable and pendulum sectors and constraining each rockable sector and its co-operating pendulum sector to move in unison, and a transverse indicator operating member located between and attached to the said flexible tapes for vertical movement thereby.

5. In an automatic scale, weight indicating .meclia ism including a pair of oppositely positinned rockable sectors having inwardly facing arcuate portions, a pair of oppositely positioned pendulum sectors located below the said rockable sectors and provided w h inwardly facing arcuate portions, ile ale and spaced tapes connecting the said rockabw and pendulum sectors and attached to the said arcuate portions thereof and constraining each rockable sector and its co-operating pendulum sector to move in unison, and vertical rack driving member mounted between the said flexible tapes and attached thereto midway between each cooperating pair of rockable and pendulum sectors.

6. A weighing scale comprising automatic weight indicating mechanism including oppositely disposed groups of secto group being fixedly mounted on a common shaft and consisting of spaced fulcrum secto li ily mounted on the shaft, a load cam sector in posed between the fulcrum sectors, mounted on the said shaft and operatively connected to the weigh ng mechanism, a driving sector terposed between the load cam sector and one of the fulcrum sectors and fixedly mounted on the said shaft, adjustable locking means for opcratively connecting the load cam sector to the co-operating fulcrum sector including a locking screw inserted in a transverse elongated co-operating opening in, the fulcrum sector and engaging a threaded opening in the co-opcrating load cam sector, and extension means carried by the said load cam sector for transmitting the load from the weighing mechanism to the driving sector consisting of an extension member extending from the apex of the load cam sector, and adjustable connecting means carried by the said driving sector adapted to cooperate with the said extension member of the load cam sector inoperatively connecting the load cam sector to the driving sector, the said adjustable means including two opposed, adjusting screws mounted in bosses on the inner face of the driving sector, between which screws the said extension member of the load cam sector extends.

7. A weighing scale comprising weighing mechanism automatic weight indicating mechanism including oppositely disposed groups of sectors, each group consisting of spaced fulcrum sectors suspended from flexible tapes and roclrable thereon, a driving sector operatively connected by a fie -ible tape to the said weight indicating mechanism and a load cam sector, a horizontally disposed cross bar operatively connected to the weighing mechanism, and vertically extending oppositely posed load members connected flexible tapes to the load cairn sectors and pivotally mounted a. :1 limited. lateral play, on the said cross bar, each member carrying a vertical guide member adapted to provide a lateral guide true! 21* each cam sector, on which guide member its co-operat ing load cam sector rocks and adapted further to hold in position the load cam sector, thereby preventing lateral displacement of the load cam sector and the co-operating sectors.

8. A weighing scale comprising automatic weight indicating mechanism including oppositely disposed groups of sectors, each group consisting of spaced fulcrum sectors suspended from flexible tapes and rockable thereon, a driving sector operatively connected by a flexible tape to the said Weight indicating mechanism, a load cam sector operatively connected by a flexible tape to a cross bar connected to the weighing mechanism, and spaced guide plates pivotally mounted on the said cross bar and adapted to provide for limited lateral movement of the fulcrum sector tapes as well as to retain them in position and thereby prevent jamming or displacement of the said fulcrum sectors and the co-operating mechanism in operation.

9. A weighing scale comprising automatic weight indicating mechanism, actuating mechanism for the said weight indicating mechanism, the weight indicating mechanism including oppositely disposed groups of sectors, each group consisting of spaced fulcrum sectors suspended from flexible tapes and rcckable thereon, a driving sector operatively connected to the mechanism actuating the said weight indicating mechanism, a cross bar connected to the Weighing mechanism, a load cam sector o-peratively connected by a i'lexible tape to the said cross bar, and vertical, opposed load members mounted on the said cross bar and adapted to prevent lateral displacement of l tllDllS sectors and each vertical member comprmng an upwardly cured thereto, a downwardly extending tongue portion having an extension member pivotally mounted thereon and slightly spaced from the end of the guide arm.

ii). A weigh g scale comprising automatic ight indicating mechanism, actuating mecha nism for the said weight indicating mechanism, the weight indicating mechanism including oppositely disposed groups of sectors, each group consisting of spaced fulcrum sectors suspended from flexible in sector operatively connected to the mechanism actuating the said weight indicating mechanism, a cross bar connected to weighing in chanis...., a load earn sector operatively conted by a flexible tape to cal, opposed load members mounted on the said cross bar and adapted to prevent lateral displacement of the various sectors and each vertical member comprising tending guide arm secured thereto, a. downwardly extending tongue portion having an extension member pivotally mounted til. "con and slightly spaced from the end of the guide arm, and a threaded rod secured the lower ttension member and an end blocl: the said cross bar and having upper and lower lock nuts mounted on the rod adapted to engage 'he upper and lower edges of the end block and thereby permit adjustment vertically of the guide arm.

11. A weighing scale mechanism, a revolvable weight indicator, actuating mechanism for the said indicator, automatic weight indicating mechanism including oppositely disposed groups of sectors, each group being fixedly mounted on a separate transversely disposed shaft, and each group consisting of spaced, rockable fulcrum sectors, a driving sector and a load cam sector operatively connected to the weighing mechanism, the fulcrum sectors and load cam sectors of each group extending outwardly from the shaft, while the driving sector extends inwardly therefrom and is operatively connected by a flexible tape to the said comprising weighing extending guide arm setapes and rockable thereon, a driv- L the said cross bar,

an upwardly exend of the said d carried by indicator actuating mechanism, oppositely disposed pendulum sectors, each pendulum sector being attached to the lower end of one of the said flexible tapes and in vertical alignment with the cooperating driving sector, the indicator actuating mechanism comprising a driving member attached to the said flexible tapes and interposed between the driving sectors and the pendulum sectors.

12. A weighing scale comprising weighing mechanism, a revolvable weight indicator, actuating mechanism for the said indicator, automatic weight indicating mechanism including oppositely disposed groups of sectors, each group being fixedly mounted on a separate transversely disposed shaft, and each group consisting of spaced, rockable fulcrum sectors, a driving sector and a load cam sector operatively connected to the weighing mechanism, the fulcrum sectors and load cam sectors of each group extending outwardly from the shaft, while the driving sector extends inwardly therefrom and is operatively connected by a flexible tape to the said indicator actuating mechanism, oppositely disposed pendulum sectors, each pendulum sector being attached to the lower end of one of the said flexible tapes, the indicator actuating mechanism comprising a transversely disposed driving member having spaced arms attached midway of the said flexible tapes and adapted to be moved thereby under influence of the load.

13. A weighing scale comprising weighing mechanism, a revolvable weight indicator, actuating mechanism for the said indicator, automatic weight indicating mechanism including oppositely disposed groups of sectors, each group being fixedly mounted on a separate transversely disposed shaft, and each group consisting of spaced, rockable fulcrum sectors, a driving sector and a load cam sector operatively connected to the weighing mechanism, the fulcrum sectors and load cam sectors of each group extending outwardly from the shaft, while the driving sector extends inwardly therefrom and is operatively connected by a flexible tape to the said indicator actuating mechanism, oppositely disposed pendulum sectors, each pendulum sector being attached to the lower end of one of the said flexible tapes and having inwardly facing arcuate portions in vertical alignment with similar arcuate portions of the driving sectors and adapted to move in unison with each other, the indicator actuating mechanism comprising a driving member spanned between the said flexible tapes and secured thereto between the said driving and pendulum sectors.

14. A weighing scale comprising weighing mechanism, a revolvable weight indicator, actuating mechanism for the said indicator, automatic weight indicating mechanism, an equalizer bar operatively connected to the said weight indicating mechanism and to the weighing mechanism, the weight indicating mechanism including oppositely disposed groups of sectors, each group being fixedly mounted on a separate transversely disposed shaft and consisting of spaced, rockable fulcrum sectors, a driving sector and a load cam sector operatively connected to the said equalizer bar, the fulcrum sectors and load cam sector extending outwardly, the driving sector extending inwardly and being operatively connected to the said indicator actuating mechanism, and oppositely disposed pendulum sectors, each pendulum sector being connected by a flexible tape to its co -operating driving sector in its group of sectors, the said indicator actuating mechanism including an intermediate transversely disposed driving member attached to and movable with the said flexible tapes, comprising upper and lower spaced arms and a cross arm carrying means for actuating the said indicator.

15. A weighing scale comprising weighing mechanism, a revolvable weight indicator actuating mechanism for the said indicator, automatic weight indicating mechanism, an equalizer bar operatively connected to the said weight indicating mechanism and to the weighing mechanism, the weight indicating mechanism including oppositely disposed groups of sectors, each group being fixedly mounted on a separate transversely disposed shaft and consisting of spaced, rock:- able fulcrum sectors, a driving sector and a load cam sector operatively connected to the said equalizer bar, the fulcrum sectors and load cam sector extending outwardly, the driving sector extending inwardly and being operatively connected to the said indicator actuating mechanism, and oppositely disposed pendulum sectors, each pendulum sector being connected by a flex-- ible tape to its co-operating driving sector in its group of sectors, the said indicator actuating mechanism including an intermediate transversely disposed H shaped driving member attached to and movable with the said flexible tapes and comprising upper and lower spaced arms and a cross arm, a pinion carried by the said indicator and mounted below the cross arm, and a depending toothed rack pivotally mounted on a pin carried by the cross arm and adapted to mesh with the said pinion and thereby actuate the indicator under influence of the load.

ALFRED BOUSFIELD. 

